The role of core stability in the development of non-contact acute lower extremity injuries in an athletic population: A prospective study

OBJECTIVES: Stability of the core is associated with lower extremity functioning. Consequently, impaired core stability might play a role in developing non-contact acute lower extremity sports injuries. The objective was to investigate components of core stability as potential risk factors for acute lower extremity injuries. DESIGN: A cohort study was set up with a follow-up and injury registration period of 1.5 years. PARTICIPANTS: 142 male and female physical education students were included. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Measures of isometric hip and core muscular strength, endurance, proprioception and neuromuscular control of the core, and postural control were taken at the start of the study. Sports-related injury occurrence was registered during follow-up. RESULTS: 27 (19%) injuries of interest occurred during follow-up. After multivariate model building, a significant predictive effect was found for side-to-side hip abduction strength asymmetry (p = .007). The hazard of developing an acute lower extremity injury increased with 6.2% with a 1 unit increase in side-to-side strength imbalance, regardless of gender. CONCLUSION: Hip abduction strength imbalance was determined as a risk factor for the development of non-contact, acute lower extremity injuries. Normalizing hip strength imbalances might be beneficial for injury prevention. However, further research is needed to support this claim.

Publication year:2021